Fender Musical Instruments Corporation has officially introduced Tom Morello’s “Arm The Homeless” guitar, a limited-edition instrument that faithfully recreates one of the most distinctive and influential guitars in rock history. This launch is a deeply personal project for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer, offering fans the chance to experience the guitar that powered anthems from Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, and Prophets of Rage. The collector’s edition mirrors the original’s unconventional design, including its active electronics, Gotoh Double-Locking Tremolo, custom Hockey Stick headstock, and the provocative “Arm The Homeless” lettering with hand-drawn hippopotamus artwork on a striking blue ice metallic finish.
The original “Arm The Homeless” guitar, a heavily customized build assembled from mismatched parts, became an extension of Morello’s voice and vision, channeling everything from delicate jazz passages to blistering rock riffs. Morello stated, “The ‘Arm the Homeless’ guitar has been my comrade for life in the sonic sphere. It allowed me to find myself as an artist. Over 22 albums and in countless collaborations ‘Arm the Homeless’ has been an indispensable ally.” Fender worked closely with Morello to reproduce every nuance of the original, including the untrimmed strings on the headstock, creating an instrument that balances modern craftsmanship with the expressive range that defined Morello’s groundbreaking sound for decades.
A key feature of the instrument is its active electronics, which deliver the dynamic tonal range essential to Morello’s playing. The faithful recreation of this legendary guitar is a powerful symbol of artistic rebellion and a celebration of Morello’s unwavering commitment to musical innovation and social change. As part of this special project, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the guitar will benefit Midnight Mission and Covenant House, two local Los Angeles organizations hand-picked by Morello for their dedication to providing shelter and dignity to people experiencing homelessness.
Max Gutnik, Fender’s Chief Product Officer, remarked that the mission was to “honor his vision and build an instrument with the same edge and attitude as the original,” emphasizing the commitment to capturing the raw spirit and personality of the iconic guitar. The Tom Morello “Arm The Homeless” Guitar ($1,699.99 USD) is part of Fender’s Artist Signature Series.
You can watch Tom Morello’s “Arm The Homeless” Guitar in action, and high-resolution images are available HERE. For technical specs, additional information, and to find a retail partner near you, visit www.fender.com. .